Electronic, interactive space-based toy system

ABSTRACT

There is provided space-based toys that are present on space vehicles like the International Space Station, equipment on the launch pad awaiting launch to space, toys in transit from earth to space, toys in space where they may be in orbit around planets or other bodies or even traveling through space. The space-based toy may be a payload installed on a space object, may be a complete and self-sustaining space vehicle, or may integrate into a payload or space vehicle with the ability to gather additional input or to influence or control the equipment or space vehicle. The space-based toy is constructed to withstand the environment of earth, space, and heavenly bodies, as required. The space-based toy has its own set of sensors and/or actuators and are able to communicate wirelessly with other space-based toys and earth-based toys using a traditional ground system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The contents of Provisional Application U.S. Ser. No. 62/022,802 filed Jul. 10, 2014, on which the present application is based and benefits claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic, interactive toy system spanning the solar system for elementary and secondary school age children. More particularly, the present invention is for an interactive earth-based toy that communicates with other toys in space, communicates with other space-based payloads, and communicates with toys or equipment on or near earth's surface. Additionally the earth- or space-based toys can respond to physical stimuli to influence virtual environments based on the physical stimuli.

2. The Prior Art

Toys resembling space objects such as a satellite, launch vehicle, or even a spaceship have long been part of a child's play experience as they pretend to be on a journey to the moon or maybe even Mars. Some of these space toys even include radios to allow children to remotely control them. Others create simulated space experiences by representing the consoles an astronaut may have in a spaceship and allowing kids to flip switches and press buttons during imaginative play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to expand a child's play beyond just looks-like space toys and simulated galactic experiences by networking a child's toy with real space objects and allowing for the monitoring and control of those objects.

It is the general object of the present invention to create an easy to use toy system spanning the solar system by incorporating connections between earth-based toys and space-based toys and systems for the education or even just the fun and delight of children.

Space-based toys include actual toys present on space vehicles like the International Space Station, equipment on the launch pad awaiting launch to space, toys in transit from earth to space, toys in space where they may be in orbit around planets or other bodies or even traveling through space. The space-based toy may be a payload installed on a space object, may be a complete and self-sustaining space vehicle, or may integrate into a payload or space vehicle with the ability to gather additional input or to influence or control the equipment or space vehicle. The space-based toy is constructed to withstand the environment of earth, space, and heavenly bodies, as required. The space-based toy has its own set of sensors and/or actuators. The space-based toy is able to communicate wirelessly with other space-based toys and earth-based toys using a traditional ground system, or a novel distributed ground system around the earth, where it routes its command and telemetry into the cloud.

School age children will be able to share the sensor readings, pictures, or effects of the sensor readings from the space-based toy on a smart device or directly on an earth-based toy. For example, when the space-based toy is in orbit around the earth, as the space-based toy nears the physical location of the earth-based toys under them, the earth-based toys will indicate the space-based toy is passing overhead. The alert may prompt additional content, games, or adventures that are now accessible to the users. The users will follow the space-based toy's journey from launch to on orbit operations to end of life with one or two way communication. For example, the space-based toy's gravity sensor will detect the gravity on earth during pre-launch. The users will play a game with normal earth gravity. As the gravity of the space-based toy fluctuates during launch and entry into space, the gravity in the game will fluctuate altering the game play and possibly lead to the unlocking of bonuses or achievements that are only available during those periods. Users singularly or jointly may be granted the ability to control the space-based toy using their earth-based toy or smart device. Control may include, as an example, commanding the space-based toy actuators to move, reprogramming the space-based toy to complete a new function, or controlling the attached equipment or space vehicle. This could be driving a lunar rover on the moon with a smart device or a cloud connected, earth-based toy.

The cloud connects the space-based toys to each other, as well as, to the earth-based toys. Note the space-based toys could be connected in space to each other and then only one space-based toy would require downlink to the cloud. Besides acting as a communication medium, the cloud records portions of the data for later use. The cloud when paired with suitable antenna systems may become a low cost, distributed ground system for satellite communications. Typically a ground system for satellite communications is fixed at a known location with communication to and from the satellite only available when the ground system is in range of the satellite. Unlike the typical ground system, a distributed ground system will be in near constant communication of the space-based toy and will transfer a few bits at a time over many nodes on the earth. The cloud will coordinate the downloading and uploading of data as well as the aggregation of data on either end to ensure the data is correct.

Other objects features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an example of the space-based toy of the present invention stowed for launch;

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an example of the space-based toy of the present invention deployed in low earth orbit;

FIG. 2 illustrates an overview of the communication architecture and some functions for the earth-based to space-based toys;

FIG. 3 is a diagram shows an example of earth-based toys control and monitoring space-based toys which are full space objects or which are hosted payloads on space objects; and

FIG. 4 is a graphic depicting how the space-based toy's sensing of the physical environment can be used to control the digital environment on a smart device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1A the space-based toy 500 may take the form of a satellite. The space-based toy 500 shown is a CubeSat that has two states: stowed for launch (FIG. 1A) and deployed on orbit (FIG. 1B). The space-based toy 500 is designed to survive launch loads and operate in the environments present in low earth orbit (LEO) for many years. The space-based toy 500 can be designed for other orbital altitudes and even interplanetary travel. While many satellites are designed for a specific space mission, this space-based toy 500 is designed for the enjoyment and learning of elementary and secondary aged children. It should be understood that the term “space-based toy” includes devices that one might not consider to be a “toy” but that functions the same. The systems on board the space-based toy 500 are unique in that they are designed so the children can link with them to play games, control them and learn about the space environment to name a few.

In this embodiment, the space-based toy 500 includes a character 510 in the form pleasing to kids. The character 510 includes an imaging camera that can send images back to earth 10 for viewing by the child. The space-based toy 500 includes a transceiver or radio 522 on board that can transmit data such as satellite telemetry, sensor data, images, or other payload information via the spacecraft 503 antenna 521. The space-based toy shown in this embodiment is powered by solar panels 520. The radio may be UHF, S-Band, X-Band or any other communication band that can be transmitted to earth. The space-based toy's transceiver 522 can also receive commands from earth 10 to perform various actions, such as take a picture, perform standard on-orbit maintenance operations, articulate its solar array, move a camera in the character 510, and the like. The space-based toy 500 shown in FIG. 1A when stowed for launch has a standard 3U CubeSat form factor and then once deployed on orbit, it expands into a gravity gradient stabilized spacecraft 503 that exposes a character 510 that is shaped in a manner appealing to children. In this embodiment, the character 510 is just one element of the space-based toy 500 of the satellite 503 that allows kids to monitor space from the view of the character 510. The character 510 can be controlled by earth-based toys 100 and smart device 200 having applications 201, as shown in FIG. 2. The transceiver 522 on the space-based Toy 500 cans transmit telemetry from the space-based toy 500 systems, actuators, and sensors to the ground for monitoring by children.

Children have long enjoyed toys that were shaped in the form factor of space objects as they pretended to be communicating with space. With the present invention, the user can do much more than just play on the earth with these toys; they can now monitor and if allowed, control the real space objects. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the communication architecture for the present invention. The earth-based toys 100 in this embodiment are a wireless, electronic based system that communicates via Bluetooth or similar device to an application 201 hosted on a smart device 200, such as a smart phone, tablet, laptop or the like. The earth-based toys 100 may also relay data in a toy-to-toy network using Bluetooth or similar device. The smart device 200 then uses its wireless connection via cellular, WiFi, or similar radio and communication method to receive data from the cloud 300 on the connected and configured space-based toys 500. Additionally, the cloud can route command data from the earth-based toy 100 or smart device application 201 to the cloud 300. The cloud 300 then aggregates all the data and based on permissions tables, user authentication, and settings, routes the commands out to the ground station 400 or distributed ground stations with line of sight at that time to the space-based toy 500 for uplink. Telemetry, pictures, sensor data, and other payload and spacecraft system information is also transmitted from the space-based toys 500 to the earth where it is received by a ground station 400 with antenna 401. Traditional large dish antennas 401 may be used but even smaller more densely populated antennas 401 around the earth's surface may also be used for communication between the cloud 300 and the space-based toy 500. Having multiple small antennas 401 gives the satellite more opportunity to downlink data. While the amount of data transferred per ground antenna 401 is likely smaller during each pass of the space-based toy for a distributed ground network given the power levels of small antennas, the exponentially greater number of ground station 400 nodes and the ability to aggregate data in the cloud 300 allows for possibly more data to be offloaded per pass over the earth and more seemingly real-time communication with the space-based toys 500.

There are many different forms for the earth-based toy 100. The forms may be in the shape of a space vehicle, a plush doll, or as depicted in FIG. 2, different galactic looking characters 101, 102, and 103. The earth-based toys 101, 102, and 103 in this embodiment are configured to light up and beep when the space-based toy 500 is overhead of the child's location. Children can monitor the space-based toy's 500 ground tracks, telemetry, and payload data via the smart device application 201 and some of that data could be relayed in fun and engaging manners for the children. Additionally, the sensors on the earth-based toys 100 can be used for control of the space-based toy 500 via pre-programmed commands, real-time commands, or other commanding protocols. An example would be gesture sensors on earth-based toy 101 that can be used to turn the character 510 and capture different images with its internal camera. Those images can then be transmitted back down to earth from space for viewing by the child on their smart device 200. Since not everyone can control a space-based toy 500 at once, the cloud 300 manages who had control and what level of commanding control is allowed. This would be displayed or configured for the child on the smart device application 201 or the earth-based toy 100 itself. Routine maintenance commands for the space-based toy 500 are performed by trained personnel, not by children with toys.

One embodiment of the space-based toy 500 is depicted in FIG. 3 as the entire space object including objects such as a satellite 503, space vehicle 502, and launch vehicle 501. In this embodiment, the space-based toy is designed to transmit data to the cloud for the sole purpose of engaging and educating children about the object. The space-based toy 500 may be in space, or they may be awaiting launch to space and sitting on earth 10. Additionally, the toy may be a launch vehicle 501 on the launch pad on earth or making its way to orbit, or even equipment stationed on the moon or in space. These examples of space-based toys are monitored from the earth and optionally controlled using smart device 200 or the earth-based toys 100. The earth-based toys 100 may be designed to talk directly to the cloud 300 to receive space-based toy 500 data and send commands or to communicate through the smart device 200 to the cloud 300. Also, the earth-based toy 100 can be designed just be the smart device 200.

Another embodiment of the space-based toys 500 is also illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the toy is a hosted payload on board various types of space objects, such as satellites 503, space vehicles 506 and launch vehicles 501. The space-based toy 500 in one embodiment may be a satellite 503 payload like character 510 with systems fun for kids. While it may have a form pleasing to a child such as character 510, this is not necessarily required of the present embodiment. The space-based toys 500 may look like typical payload electronic boxes. It is conceived that existing sensor data can be considered the payload 502 on the space vehicle 512 where the space vehicle 512 is the International Space Station (ISS). The sensor data from payload 502 is formatted in such a way that is fun for kids and that would be one embodiment of the space-based toy 500. In this embodiment, perhaps the speed and orbital altitude of the ISS are displayed on a smart device 200 having application 201 so a child can find the ISS when it orbits overhead the earth. Another embodiment of the space-based toy 500 may be a toy in a friendly form factor for kids operatively connected to the data network on a space object, such as those shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, such as space vehicle 512 like the International Space Station where the toy is living with the astronauts on the ISS. Other embodiments include payloads 500, which may include a toy on launch vehicle 501, or even systems located on other planets or planetary rovers, to name a few. There must only exist a network, communication path, or link on the space-based toy 500 itself, through a connection with the space object it is hosted on, or even through a crosslink communication with another space object that can transmit the space data back down to earth where it can be received by the ground station 400 and relayed to the cloud 300 where the data is aggregated and displayed in a child friendly and fun way kids on their earth-based toy 100 and smart device 200 having application 201.

In another embodiment, the space-based toy 500 may be a lunar rover on the moon's surface that can be driven via the child's earth-based toy 100. Or in another embodiment, a child may have an earth-based toy 100 in the shape of a lunar rock. The lunar rock may open every time the associated space-based toy is overhead the lunar rock's location. The lunar rock then relays a special message from space and by collecting the space messages a child can unlock new digital content on the smart device 200 or even add new features to the earth-based toy 100. The location of the earth-based toy 100 would be pulled from the location sensor on the device itself, from the location information on the paired smart device 200, or from another linked earth-based toy 100.

The space-based toy 500 may have systems that can sense the physical environment on the earth 10, during transit to space and while in space. Such system sensors may include, but are not limited to: temperature, gravity, space weather, and location. In one embodiment, the space-based toy 500 is a toy 511 hosted on a space object in the form of a launch vehicle 501 and where the hosted toy 511 environmental readings can change, control, or influence the digital world linked to and presented on the smart device 200 having application 201. Using the environmental data gathered from the space-based toys 500, fun, digital game environments can be formed. For example, the space-based toy 500 is sensing extreme cold temperatures while shielded in space from the warmth of the sun, the digital world video game on the smart device would represent that same environment by possibly changing the game play to an artic landscape. When the space-based toy is in view of the sun during its orbit, the smart device 200 game or application 201 may be played in a tropical environment. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of this environment where the hosted space-based toy 500 on a launch vehicle 501 measures the acceleration during launch, for example at 4 g's. In the digital world game on the smart device 200 game application 201 a “super G” mode may be entered where the physics of that world change to 4 g's versus the typical 1 g and when the space-based toy 500 is on orbit floating with minimal acceleration at 0 g's that the objects in the game all float like there is no gravity present. It is conceived that these modes once achieved, could be entered into at any time and not just when the space-based toy 500 reads that environment.

The earth-based toys 100 may take many child friendly forms. They may be toy vehicles, plush toys, electronic toys, to name a few. Also, the earth-based toys 100 may have only the ability to monitor space-based toys 500 or they may have the ability to monitor and command and control them, as well. The earth-based toys 100 may talk directly to the cloud 300, or they may have a radio that allows them to talk direct to the space-based toy 500 bypassing the smart device 200 and cloud 300 altogether much like the GPS chip talks directly to the GPS satellites to receive location data. The earth-based toys may also have systems that allow them to form a network of toys so only one earth-based toy has to operatively connect to the space-based toy 500 for communication and monitoring of the data from space.

A key element of the present invention is the use of data from space-based toys 500 for the fun and delight of children, as well as displaying the data for better understanding on the space environment and how object behave in the space environment. Telemetry screens on the smart device applications 201, much like those used by space operators today, can display the status of the space-based toy 500 systems. Additionally, games application 201 will be hosted on the smart device 200. Without the smart device 200 present or a link to the cloud 300, the earth-based toys 100 can still alert when the space-based toys 500 are overhead. This is done through the use of space-based toys 500 ephemeris data and the time of day. The earth-based toys 100 will be able to predict and alert even if out of range of a wireless signal to the space-based toy 500 since the ephemeris data was synched the last time the earth-based toy 100 was connected to the cloud 300 or through the smart device 200. Other games and fun interactions could be conceived for connected and unconnected play patterns that provide enjoyment and education to children. With this invention, real space data can be used to educate and excite kids about the space environment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive senses only and not for the purposes of limitation. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An interactive space-based toy system for children comprising: space-based toy operatively coupled to an earth-based toy for entertainment or education.
 2. The interactive space-based toy system according to claim 1 wherein said space-based toy is a space object selected from the group consisting of a launch vehicle, a satellite and a space vehicle.
 3. The interactive space-based toy system according to claim 1 wherein said space-based toy is a payload on said space object.
 4. The interactive space-based toy system according to claim 1 wherein said earth-based toy can monitor said space-based toy.
 5. The interactive space-based toy system according to claim 1 wherein said earth-based toy can control said space-based toy.
 6. The interactive space-based toy system according to claim 1 wherein said space-based toy data is downlinked to one or more ground stations having an antenna and further routing the data to a cloud.
 7. The interactive space-based toy system according to claim 1 wherein commands are uplinked from one or more ground stations to said space-based toy.
 8. The interactive space-based toy system according to claim 1 wherein the Earth-based toys are operatively coupled to the cloud.
 9. The interactive space-based toy system according to claim 1 wherein said earth-based toy is operatively coupled to the cloud via a smart device.
 10. The interactive space toy-based system according to claim 1 wherein said smart device connects to the cloud to display downlinked data from said space-based toy.
 11. The interactive space-based toy system according to claim 1 wherein said smart device connects to the cloud to send commands to the space-based toy.
 12. The interactive space-based toy system according to claim 1 wherein said earth-based toy contains sensors and said sensors are used to issue commands to the space-based toy, and wherein said commands are routed from said earth-based toy through said cloud to a one or more ground stations to space where they are executed by the space-based toy.
 13. A method of play with the interactive space-based toy system of claim 1 including the steps of: the space-based toy having sensors to monitor the environment; using the sensors of said space-based toy to sense the environment; and subsequently relaying said sensor data to a smart device hosting an application, said application then changing its environment to reflect the sensor data from said space-based toy.
 14. The method of play of claim 13 further including a step wherein said application is a game and the user plays an unlocked level of the game not previously available; and wherein the environment in the new level of the game has the same characteristics of said space-based toy sensor.
 15. A method of play with the interactive space-based toy system of claim 1 wherein said earth-based toy responds when the space-based toy is orbiting overhead the user. 